Pay a bill
If you already have a MyChart account, you should use it to pay your bill. If you're interested in getting a MyChart account, please sign up.
If you don't have a MyChart account, you can still pay your bill online using Guest Pay.
Patient estimates
UI Health Care believes that generating an estimate using the guest estimate feature or through your MyChart account will provide a better value in understanding your potential out-of-pocket expenses.
If you have questions regarding your cost for a specific service, please contact UI Health Care Financial Counseling. A financial counselor can provide you with an estimate and discuss any financial concerns you may have.
Have a MyChart account? You should use it to get your patient estimate. If you're interested in getting a MyChart account, please sign up.
If you don't have a MyChart account, you can still get a patient estimate online using our guest portal.
Need financial resource assistance? We are here to help
We are happy to assist in understanding your bill and navigating out-of-pocket costs.
Additional resources
Understanding hospital pricing
Based on regulations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), we publish a complete list of standard charges. Because your cost is based on your insurance plans and other relevant financial factors, these standard charges may not be reflective of what you will pay for your health care.
A member of our financial services staff can assist you.
Clinics at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics are considered “hospital-based” clinics.
Answers to questions about hospital pricing
What factors should I consider when comparing hospitals?
The cost of your health care is important, but cost shouldn’t be your only consideration. It is important to consider many factors when choosing a health care provider and facility. Those factors include quality of care, patient safety, access to specialists, availability of clinical trials of the latest treatments, and use of cutting-edge technology.
What does the posted list of standard charges tell me about the cost of my health care?
As required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), UI Health Care publishes a complete list of standard charges. However, it is important for you to know that this charge document does not contain any information about your personal out-of-pocket cost for your treatment. Your actual out-of-pocket costs, including any copays or deductible amounts, will vary depending on the health insurance policy you selected and whether or how it covers the treatment you are seeking. The charge document is also not helpful if you qualify for financial assistance or other types of discounts or accommodations.
It is important to understand the difference between two types of charges common in the health care industry. The first type is “gross charge” or “standard charge,” which is the established price that is billed to all patients regardless of any insurance or health care coverage. The second type is “negotiated charge” or “contracted rate,” which is the price that insurance companies and payers have agreed to pay for services. In the vast majority of cases, hospitals and physicians are reimbursed by insurance companies and payers at a rate that is considerably less than the amount charged.
A patient with insurance or health care coverage is commonly responsible for a portion of the contracted rate, which will vary based on the benefits provided by the insurance companies and payers. The amount is called the out-of-pocket expense (most often a copay, deductible amount, or co-insurance).
You should talk with your insurance provider or UI Health Care Financial Counseling to understand which costs will be covered and which costs will be your responsibility.
UI Health Care believes that generating an estimate using the guest estimate feature or through your MyChart account will provide a better value in understanding your potential out-of-pocket expenses.
If you have questions regarding your cost for a specific service, please contact UI Health Care Financial Counseling. A financial counselor can provide you with an estimate and discuss any financial concerns you may have.
If you need help understanding some of the terms you read on your bill or in your health insurance policy, you can download the CMS Glossary of Health Coverage and Medical Terms, a helpful resource that uses plain language to explain commonly used terms.
How current is the information in the posted list of standard charges?
The information is subject to periodic changes. Updated information is posted to our website at least annually, following CMS guidance.
Can patients determine their out-of-pocket cost on your website?
Patients and guests are able to access their individual out-of-pocket costs for more than 300 shoppable services by using the price estimator tool in MyChart. The individual out-of-pocket cost may be obtained for all other services by contacting our financial counseling team or your insurance company.
Why does UI Health Care include professional fees along with a facility rate in its bills?
CMS requires hospitals that directly employ physicians to post rates for professional services. This means that UI Health Care includes the rates for nearly all services provided as part of a patient’s care. This also allows for a comprehensive estimate that shows patients their total out-of-pocket expenses. Other facilities may not directly employ their physicians and may not include this comprehensive information, which may not accurately reflect the total cost of care.